Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Kentucky (2026)
16 rules on the books across Kentucky, 6 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Food Truck Permits
Licenses and health permits required to operate a food truck, including fees, inspections, and renewal requirements.
Kentucky: statewide
StatewideSignificant RestrictionsEvery food truck operating in Kentucky needs a statewide mobile food unit permit, issued by the operator's home-county…
Read full rule →Lexington
Significant RestrictionsEach food truck operating in Lexington-Fayette needs its own license, the ordinance licenses per unit, not per…
Read full rule →Bowling Green
Some RestrictionsOperating a Mobile Food Unit or Pushcart on Bowling Green streets or sidewalks requires an annual permit from the City…
Read full rule →Louisville
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro requires anyone selling food from a vehicle on public streets to get a mobile vendor license from the…
Read full rule →Mccracken County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated McCracken County, Kentucky, every mobile food vehicle needs an annual permit from the Mobile Food…
Read full rule →Owensboro
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Owensboro, every food truck or ice cream truck needs its own $250 mobile food vending permit, plus a…
Read full rule →Vending Zones
Designated areas where food trucks and mobile vendors can operate, including time limits, distance from restaurants, and residential area restrictions.
Boone County
Significant RestrictionsBoone County, Kentucky prohibits selling or giving away any merchandise, including food, on the public right-of-way…
Read full rule →Lexington
Significant RestrictionsLexington-Fayette bars peddlers and itinerant merchants from vending in parks without a permit, within 100 feet of a…
Read full rule →Mccracken County
Significant RestrictionsIn unincorporated McCracken County, Kentucky, mobile food vehicles may operate only in Commercial, Light Industry, and…
Read full rule →Bowling Green
Some RestrictionsWhere and when a Mobile Food Unit can park in Bowling Green depends on whether it is inside the Downtown Square Area…
Read full rule →Louisville
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro bars stationary food vendors from operating in Residential Zoned Districts, and mobile vendors must…
Read full rule →Owensboro
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Owensboro, mobile food unit vendors cannot operate in a residential zone except to briefly service a…
Read full rule →Sidewalk & Mobile Vending
Permits and rules for sidewalk vendors and pushcarts, where vending is allowed, cart and equipment standards, and the distance and hours rules that come with a vendor permit.
Lexington
Significant RestrictionsEvery peddler operating within Lexington-Fayette must secure a license from the division of revenue under Code § 15-7…
Read full rule →Bowling Green
Some RestrictionsPushcart vendors in Bowling Green can sell food on public sidewalks, but not on streets, roads or alleys. Sec…
Read full rule →Louisville
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro requires stationary vendors and carts to get a permit from Codes and Regulations, stay clear of…
Read full rule →Owensboro
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Owensboro, mobile food unit vendors need a $250 citywide permit under Municipal Code § 16-4 before…
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